Macbook Air Retina 2014 Release Date: Could Be Delayed Until 2015 Due to Intel Production Delay

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The 12-inch variant of the latest Macbook Air with Retina display is facing a 2015 release because of the delay in production of the Intel Broadwell chips. The Macbooks were initially set for a 2014 holiday release but the delay on Intel's part has pushed back the release date to 2015.

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Earlier this year, Intel announced that the release of the newest Broadwell chips would be delayed for a time because of massive demands. Only recently have they begun production again. This may sound like good news for Apple but that is not the case.

Intel is currently producing a number of variants for the Broadwell chips. For now, they are shipping out the M variant chips whereas Apple needs the U variant chips to power the Retina display of the new 12-inch Macbook Air. The production of the 14-nm Broadwell chips have been delayed multiple times and it won't be until February 2015 that the chips Apple needs will be shipped out.

The Macbook Air with Retina display is to succeed the old Macbook Air. The 12-inch variant according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, will have the portability of an 11-inch Macbook Air while having the functionality of a 13-inch Macbook Air.

There are also rumors that the new Macbook Air will have a redesigned ultrathin chassis with a new trackpad design that does not incorporate a clicker.

Currently, Apple is dependent on Intel for the release of the chips they need and until Intel can ship out the chips, the Macbook Air as well as the new Macbook Pro and iMacs will be delayed. The Macbook Air with Retina will most likely face a March release while the Pro and the iMac will be released sometime in the middle of the year.